$30 Million From The Province For School Improvements

The province announcing 30 million dollars for school improvement projects.
District 6 will receive $1.8 million for 8 projects including a roof replacement at Quispamsis Elementary and flooring and masonry work at K.V. High.

The biggest price tag is $770 thousand dollars for work on the ventilation system, washroom upgrade and more at Sussex Regional High school.

In the Saint John area, District 8 gets over $1.9 million for 9 projects at 12 schools.  The largest being $455,000 for work on the exterior walls at Bayside Middle, Bayview and St. John the Baptist and King Edward schools.

Over 1.2 million dollars is set aside for improvements in District 10.
The projects include a roof replacement at Back Bay elementary and Campobello Island consolidated school and a heating system upgrade for St. Stephen elementary.
It also includes $190, 000 for weatherizing and other work at St. George and Vincent Massey elementary schools and St. Stephen middle and high schools.

Business Confidence Falls In Province

Small businesspeople in the province aren't feeling good these days. 19 per cent of small and mid sized businesses plan to cut fulltime staffing over the next three to four months.

The Director of Provincial Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Andrea Bourgeois tells CHSJ News the pessimism is based on more than just perceptions. She describes the economy as soft with employers not expecting to see alot of business growth due to weak consumer demand.

Bourgeois does concede all the attention that has been paid to the provincial government's financial woes hasn't helped boost confidence.

In its pre-budget survey, most of the more than 300 respondents would like to see the province control its spending and move towards balanced budgets.

Police Chief Welcomes New Program To Rid Neighbourhoods Of Troublemakers

The SCAN programme, a provincial initiative, designed to make neighbourhoods safer has been well received by both Common Council and Police Chief Bill Reid. The new legislation allows people who cause trouble or break the law to be evicted.

Reid says this has nothing to do with his department although officers will help out if a situation is deemed to be potentially dangerous but the big benefit is information about those who are causing the trouble.

The chief concedes this new unit can act alot faster than police can because the legal restraints are not as strict.

A Snow Ban Is On For The South/Central Peninsula Tonight

The dig out carries on after 25 centimetres of snow fell with more snow in store for us this weekend.
The City issuing a temporary overnight snow ban for the South/Central peninsula from 11pm tonight to 7am tomorrow morning.  Parking on the street is not allowed anywhere in the south central peninsula and vehicles remaining on the street will be towed. Communications Manager Nancy Moar tells CHSJ news the notifications are done as required by the Saint John traffic by-law.
She says the by-law states they have to set up a line so people can call 658-4040 to see if a ban has been declared.   She adds they also get the word out through news releases to local media and through advertising.

You can move your vehicle to one of five snow ban lots located on King Street East, Peters Street, Carmarthen Street at the Vineyard Church, Mecklenburg Street at Wentworth Street and at the corner of Princess and Charlotte Streets.
Vehicles can be moved there at 6pm tonight but, must be out 7am tomorrow morning.
The last time a ban was issued on January 23rd, more than 50 vehicles were towed.
For more info, click here

Cleanup Underway After Another Major Snowstorm

Morning commuters are being advised by police to drive with extreme caution as you make your way into work in the aftermath of the latest weather maker to batter Saint John.

The plows have been working non-stop but road conditions are still described as very slippery.

Some places in the region got as much as 45 centimeters of snow while Saint John recorded about 25 centimeters with more falling in the Valley.

Meantime, the long range forecast from Environment Canada is calling for periods of snow on Sunday and again next Tuesday.

First Candidate Announces For Vacant Seat At Quispamsis Council

Former telecommunications manager Barry Farnsworth throwing his hat into the ring for the vacant seat on Quispamsis Council.

The seat was formerly held by Gerry Maher who resigned on December 21st.

Farnsworth tells CHSJ News he wants to give back to his community and would like to see a more regional approach to recreation in the valley.

Gas Prices Continuing To Rise

Gas prices are on the rise after the weekly setting........The maximum price for self serve regular rose by a cent a litre to $1.12.5 and the max for diesel is up by just under two cents to$1.25.1.

The prices charged at the pump are usually a few cents cheaper than the maximums.

Heating oil also rose by almost two cents a litre and is listed at $1.07.6.